Allyse the Comedienne

One night, we sent the kids upstairs to change into their pajamas. Julene and I were busy, so we asked Allyse to help Angelina get changed. Soon, the children were back downstairs. I noticed that Allyse was wearing pajamas, but something wasn't quite right. Then it dawned on me that Allyse was wearing a pair of Angelina's pajamas.

Call Us the "Allards"

Joshua, Allyse and Joseph are in year-round school. Their school year finished on Friday and they brought home their report cards. To my amazement, all three of them had straight A's. For now on, you can call us the "Allards" because there are no "Bs" in this family.

Blogging with a Vengeance

Even though it has been over two months, I will be posting the Waite Family Reunion at Aspen Grove, mostly for family history purposes. I was extremely busy with work and church for the week after we returned from Aspen Grove, and so I couldn't get to posting the vacation. On Friday of that week, tragedy struck Jonathan and Stephanie's family. The weeks that followed are somewhat of an emotional blur.

Given the events of June, family history should have been more important than ever to me. Instead, I think that I just fell flat emotionally for a while. However, it is difficult to stay down for too long, especially when five children are looking to you for guidance, stability and security. For those reasons, I an now blogging with a vengeance (at least by my meager standards).

Growing Like Weeds

This is another photo from 2004 that I love. This was taken on Memorial Day at the cabin at Mt. Charleston. Allyse, Joshua and Joseph were sitting on the sofa with their cousins, Corbin and Ethan, when I encouraged them to be silly. They are all growing up too fast! Josh and Corbin start middle school in two weeks! AAAAGGGHHHH!!!

Sunday Past

I was going through the old photos today and found this one from an Easter Sunday morning a little over four years ago. Allyse was coming up on her fifth birthday, Joseph was a bit over three and Joshua was nearly seven and a half years old. This is the very reason I keep taking photos: to be able to look back and recall memories that have faded with time.

Bowling at Jillian's for JDRF

Our local JDRF chapter organized a family fun day at Jillian's, a small bowling alley at Neonopolis in fabulous downtown Las Vegas.

Joshua rolled a mean game of bowling. His form, and his score, dramatically improved after he stopped trying to bowl with a 12 lb. ball.

We had a hard time finding a ball that weighed less than Allyse. Once we did (and once we added a ramp for the ball to roll down) she was as pleased as punch.

Angelina was just happy to hang out and watch the bowling balls return. I couldn't get her to part with her bowling ball shaped lollipop for this picture.

Likewise, I couldn't get Benjamin to part with his pacifier for this picture.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince